Man attempts to drive nearly 8 times over alcohol limit

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A MACKAY man was nearly eight times the legal alcohol limit when he attempted to drive.

He's now paid the price, copping a hefty fine and disqualification period for his mistake.

Christian Petersen Back was seated in his vehicle, a white Toyota van, which was in River St. The engine was turned on and he'd put the vehicle into reverse. Both the brake and reverse lights were on, prosecutor Michael Ball said.

It was at this stage the police intercepted, but it isn't known what drew their attention on September 7, the Mackay Magistrates Court was told yesterday. Back had an "extraordinary reading" of 0.392%, Mr Ball said.

The legal alcohol limit for an open class driver is 0.05%.

Back pleaded guilty to driving under the influence.

Defence solicitor John Wilson, of Macrossan and Amiet, said his client had had a "significant fall from grace".

The 39-year-old planned to return to New South Wales where he had family support.

In the weeks leading up to this incident, on September 7, Back has lost his job and his long-term partner had left him, Mr Wilson said.

Due to his reading, Back was taken to hospital.

Acting Magistrate Scott Luxton said it was concerning that someone would get behind the wheel in that state.

Back was fined $2400 and disqualified from driving for two years.

Mackay Base Hospital Emergency Medicine Specialist Dr Neale Thornton said driving at eight times the legal limit would put you and others at risk of serious harm or death.

"Alcohol affects people in different ways and depends on your age, size, gender and how habituated you are to alcohol," Dr Thornton said.

"A teenage girl who has never drunk alcohol would be dead at 0.4%, where as a seasoned drinker would have a higher tolerance level."

Limits

At 0.2% a person can feel confused and disorientated and could have trouble standing or walking